Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 143"
COURSE NAME: "World Art III: Visual Culture of the Renaissance and Baroque Worlds (Partially on-site)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Smyth Carolyn
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 18:00-19:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: TBA

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Students will be expected to develop, in the course of the semester, the following:

-          Ready recognition of selected works and knowledge of basic facts related to them. A basic understanding of the historical development of painting, sculpture, architecture and other arts from the cultures and periods of the course within their cultural, political and ideological contexts. -          Awareness of problems of interpretation, in relation to the study of selected works; basic Familiarity with the subject matter and iconography, function, issues of patronage and purpose of selected works.
-          Development of the visual and analytical skills of looking. The student should achieve a recognition of major period styles; also essential is a perception of the ways in which form and meaning are conjoined.
-          A grasp of the changing function of art as a shifting expression of individuals and institutions in different moments of history. Awareness of the different functions and attitudes toward the purpose of art in different cultures, and the different values placed on artists, media, and the role of art in society.
-          Furthering of writing skills: declaration and development of a clearly stated theme, development of methods of argumentation and organization, written expression and structure.
-          Furthering of oral communication skills, through class discussion and oral presentation

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
            The course is intended to offer an introduction to the most significant artistic monuments and trends of European art and architecture from the 14th to the late 18thC, as well as several sections on the Early Modern period in Asia. It is designed both for the student with no previous art history background, and for the student with some experience seeking a general historical overview.

Through lectures, class discussions, readings and visits to sites and museums, the student will become familiar with a variety of period styles and cultures, artists and major works from the Early Modern era. In addition, the course should stimulate consideration of some of the various approaches of art-historical study – the different ways of looking and thinking about art. In this way, the student will be introduced to the basic methods of the field, as well as to the tools which enable a more informed appreciation of painting, sculpture and architecture. Though the emphasis will be on the European tradition, we will also examine parallel periods in India and Japan for an exploration of how non-Western societies employ art and architecture.

The range of artworks presented in this course is selective rather than all-inclusive, in the belief that deeper knowledge of a few works will supply students with essential art-historical skills, and a foundation for what may be hoped to be a continued involvement with art.

     By including several visits to representative sites and collections, the course will take advantage of our special situation in Rome. For this reason, some emphasis will be placed on the art of Italy in the Renaissance and Baroque. Relevant temporary exhibitions which relate to our subject matter will also be included in visits. While not possible for all units, a number of on-site discussions, as well as the journal and paper assignments, will enrich this introductory course through the study of original works, examined in person.

Textbook: Gardner’s Art Through the Ages: A Global History, ed. F.S. Kleiner, 13th edition – Volume II – International Edition

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
See "Course Aims"

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Gardner's Art through the Ages (Global Edition)	see course description		XXXXX

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
Other Required Readings	are forthcoming		XXXXX

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
Suggested Readings will	also appear	in this section	XXXXX

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Midterm Examination	You will be asked to identify slides, and to write comparative essays on pairs of slides. In addition, you will be shown a slide of a work probably not familiar to you, to analyze and to compare to known works.      A "Monument List" will be given to you in anticipation of the exam as well as more detailed instructions. All works on this list are reproduced in the textbook, witih the exception of a few available on-site in Rome.      In addition, two review periods will be scheduled for evenings before each examination (choose one, or both).	20%
Final Examination	To be scheduled during Final Examination Week - DO NOT MAKE PLANS TO LEAVE ROME BEFORE EXAM WEEK IS OVER!     The Final Examination will follow the same format as the Midterm:a monument list, guidelines, and evening reviews will be provided as above. This exam will in addition include an essay question which will propose a theme interrelating various works and issues discussed during the semester, which will test you as well on command of the readings. You will be given a choice of three or four essay questions and have an hour to respond to the question selected.     Except for the first part, the identifications, (five post-midterm slides), the examination will be cumulative and cover material from the entire semester.	25%
Journal	The first Journal entry will be submitted early in the semester, to make sure you are the right track for an assignment which is probably new for you; a second entry will be submitted a few weeks later. The completed Journal, including all four entries (the first two and two more) will be turned in toward the end of the semester. You will be ssessed on your engagement with the task of observing and writing on site, and progress made.     The Journal is an informal but important assignment to get you to investigate works on your own, and to practice skills and apply ideas and methods learned in class and from the reading. You will visit at least three different monuments, museums or sites and write three to five pages of analysis on four individual works. Entries should be written by hand, on site; if very messy, accompany the on-site pages with a typed copy. Only one may be a work seen together on the Friday class visits, and at least two should be works not in Gardner (the textbook). A variety of media should be addressed - painting, sculpture, architecture. Further instructions will be provided in the first week of classes.	25%
Comparative Paper	A short (3-4 page) paper, well-organized, carefully written and edited, will address two works of art or architecture which are related by theme and/ or purpose. You might use a work addressed in your Journal (or a new work) and “match” it with another of the same subject, type, or purpose – for instance, two church facades, two portraits of noblemen, two Last Suppers, two marble seated figures, (etc.). The paper should demonstrate research on each work – at least four specialized articles or books (no “Wikipedia”!) – as well as a thoughtful comparison of how each artist or architect approached a similar but different task in a distinctive manner. Topics will be submitted several weeks in advance of the paper due date to make sure you have selected an appropriate and workable comparison. More guidelines to come.	20%
Participation in Class Discussion	See also "Attendance Requirements" below.     Attendance is naturally a requirement of the course, since much material will be presented in lectures and discussions which is not available in the readings. Be sure to have completed the assigned readings before each class. Active participation and discussion in class and visits is of course toward your benefit for the grade – but also, helpful contributions and questions relevant to the material under consideration also make the class more interesting and lively for all of us. Keep in mind that this 10% of your grade is an assessment not simply of your physical presence, but of active involvement in discussion.      A reminder of classroom and on-site etiquette – Punctuality is important, since announcements concerning assignments and visits will be made at the beginning of the class; it is tiresome for everyone if these must be repeated because of tardiness. Please be sure to accomplish telephone conversations, snacking, and calls of nature before the class – rising from class or wandering off from the on-site group or chatting is extremely distracting for me and for your fellow students, and prohibited except for the most dire of instances. Due to abuse of the employment of computers in the past, computers will not be allowed in the classroom.     NB:  Should you feel uncertain about an assignment, come to me and we can speak about it. I will supply ample handouts, guidelines, and give instructions orally in class for each project and exam, but I am also available for individual discussion in office hours and by appointment. I am also willing to read drafts (substantially complete papers and journals for which you have some doubts or worries) if they are submitted in advance for me to read.	10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

In addition to attendance and participation, students will be appraised according to the quality of performance on the assignments, the midterm and the final examination.

Grading is determined by the following scheme:

- Work of “A” 90-100% quality demonstrates mastery of the facts and interpretations found in readings, lectures, discussions, and research. Work at this level demonstrates a comfortable command over the course material and is characterized by the student’s independent evaluation and critical consideration of that material. “A” work consists of an interesting and original argument that is consistently supported by well-integrated and well-chosen evidence, as well as careful examination of the visual evidence and awareness of different approaches and methods.

- Work of “B” 80-89% quality demonstrates a solid understanding of the material, adequately addresses the assigned topic or task, and is written clearly and free of technical errors. A “B” exam, paper or presentation is one that fails to analyze material thoroughly or is marred by problems of presentation, organization, a weak or lack-luster argument and/or evidence that is used inconsistently or ineffectively.

- Work of “C” 70-79% quality demonstrates a general working knowledge of the material and addresses the assigned topic or task, but has some significant structural flaw, absence of information or research background, or too imprecise a treatment. The submitted assignment may have no argument, ignores important and obvious sources and/or contains only a minimum of interpretation.

- Work of “D” 60-69% quality does not demonstrate a working knowledge of the necessary material, fails to support its argument with sufficient evidence, indicates a hasty or unconsidered preparation, and/or fails to fulfill the assignment in some minor way.

- Work of “F” below 60% fails to fulfill the assignment in some fundamental way. It may have been late, thrown together quickly, with little or no attention to the materials assigned for the class.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

More than two unexcused absences will lower your grade (for example, B plus becomes a B). This includes the official JCU Friday Make-up Classes. On-site classes are Real Classes, and your undivided attention, note-taking and active participation is expected. You are required to attend two of the three Friday visits – but why wouldn’t you want to be there for all three?
Site visits will include a morning on the Quirinale, investigating the art and architecture of four great Baroque churches by Maderno, Bernini and Borromini; a visit to the exhibition of Vermeer and Dutch painting which will be held this Fall at the Scuderie del Quirinale; and another site or exhibition to be announced.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Schedule Forthcoming